My husband celebrated a birthday this week and I was reminded (again) how lucky I am to have such a wonderful person to share life’s adventures with. Next year, we will have spent more life TOGETHER than separately and I can’t wait to reach that fun milestone!

As the weather here in Colorado is quickly changing (this morning was pleasant and warm; it is now blowing 30 mph and the wind has a bite to it. They say we may wake up to some snow…and I’m not ready!), I’m thinking of all the cozy reading days I hope are in my near future. You know the kind: where it’s cold as heck outside, so you snuggle up with a warm cup of tea, a blanket, and a good book by the fire to pass the day away. I can’t wait!

What have you been reading (and loving) this week?

Last Week’s Reads:The Turn of the Key by: Ruth Ware (Simon & Schuster) – Pub Date: August 6, 2019

I found Ware’s other books, The Woman in Cabin 10 and In a Dark, Dark Wood, just ok, but I believe she found her stride with this one. It’s just weird enough that I kept turning the pages to see what would happen next. From the giant estate with cameras always watching, to the locked closet and poison garden, the setting alone provided just enough intrigue to weave a creepy story. Admittedly, the ending was a bit of a letdown after the buildup, but I also feel like this happens often with this genre. I’ve come to expect that it’s never going to be as crazy as it should be, so I’m fine with how this one ended.

The Dutch House by: Ann Patchett (Harper) – Pub Date: September 24, 2019

“We overlay the present onto the past. We look back through the lens of what we know now, so we’re not seeing it as the people we were, we’re seeing it as the people we are, and that means the past has been radically altered.”

What I absolutely loved about this novel was the relationship between Maeve and Danny. Books are written all the time about sibling relationships, but none quite like this. It was a true bond and the sacrifices they made for each other (mostly that Maeve made for Danny) were so beautifully portrayed. In a situation that could have easily torn them apart, they remained close and bound together.

I also loved the secondary characters…in all their humanness. They were vile and nasty (I’m looking at you, Andrea), but also redeemed by the time it was all said and done. Sandy, Jocelyn, and Fluffy also stood out to me as examples of love (unconditional and otherwise) and acceptance. Also, to me, the house itself – The Dutch House – was its own beautiful character. It was the silent observer to these significant events and continued to bear witness to the lives of all the characters over the years. In its solidity and silence, it offered its comfort and steadfastness…sort of a calming force in the chaos of everyday life.

Basically, this book reiterated to me that we don’t always know the reasons behind someone’s choices and/or behavior. There are layers and layers to people and it’s best to learn forgiveness in order to have the freedom to enjoy your own life. The past can dig into you and refuse to let you go. The only way to counteract that is to forgive, and maybe more importantly, forget.

*** Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know About the People We Don’t Know by: Malcolm Gladwell (Little Brown) – Pub Date: September 10, 2019

I listened to Gladwell on The Bill Simmons Podcast and I immediately moved this one to the top of my TBR. I don’t know…I always love Gladwell’s books, and though he does a thorough job of dissecting tough topics, I also always feel…confused? Like, don’t ask me to summarize what I read because I really don’t know. But I liked it. Will I remember it? Probably not. But I liked it. Does anyone else feel this way about Gladwell’s books?!

American Royals by: Katharine McGee (Random House) – Pub Date: September 3, 2019

Hmm…I enjoyed this book a lot and thought it paralleled nicely to Red, White, and Royal Blue (my review here), but I was angry when I read the last page and realized this is part of a series. I would never had picked it up had I known that…I don’t do series, and when I do, I only do when I know what I’m getting into. It was a totally cliffhanger ending and I won’t know how this all sorts out until Fall of 2020. This is probably just me…but I’m irritated. I don’t know what to say other than that…good book, but don’t read it if you had continuing stories, like me. The real question now is if I’ll pick up the next book next year or just ask all of you for the gist. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Currently Reading:

After the End by: Clare Mackintosh (Putnam) – Pub Date: June 25, 2019

My library hold came in for this one and I’ve read about 20%. So far, it has a lot of Jodi Picoult vibes…I’m not sure if I’m here for it yet or not. A couple years ago, I burned myself out on Jodi Picoult novels – I could not get enough of them! – so I’m hesitant, but curious. A lot of my trusted sources have enjoyed this one, so I’m going to keep going.

(#partner #freebooks: All books noted by asterisks (***) indicate I received the book for free from the publisher, the author, or another promotional company to review. All opinions are my own.)

October 1st arrived and finally brought some fall weather with it! I’m not sure it got over 50 degrees yesterday and it was fantastic! Perfect reading weather!

Also with the beginning of October, I’m starting to feel the pressure of all the books that have come out this year that sound wonderful that I haven’t found the time to read yet. It feels like if I don’t get to them this year, I probably won’t get to them at all. Does anyone else feel that way?

Because of that self-imposed pressure, I feel a lot of DNFs coming on. If a book isn’t jiving with me, I’m moving on! #sorrynotsorry

What have you been reading (and loving) this week?

Last Week’s Reads:

The Most Fun We Ever Had by: Claire Lombardo (Doubleday) – Pub Date: June 25, 2019

I saw this one all over #bookstagram and I was hesitant to give into the hype…but man, I wish I had sooner because THIS BOOK IS EVERYTHING! With a full cast of characters, there’s a ton of dysfunction and complicated relationships, but ultimately, I loved each and every one of them (albeit differently). Sometimes the snark and dysfunction was a little over the top; however, one thing I learned from the Sorensons is that we all carry pain differently. It’s easy to look in from the outside and judge another person’s story, but until you’ve walked the same path, you truly don’t know how you would react or behave. I also realized that compassion and forgiveness are key components of a healthy relationship. There is no doubt in my mind that this one will make my Top 10 for 2019!

*** The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11 by: Garrett M. Graff (Avid Reader Press) – Pub Date: September 10, 2019

Kind of like WWII fiction, I will read anything that has to do with 9/11. I knew instantly that this was a book I wanted to read and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to absorb the survivors’ and heroes’ stories from this day through yet another oral history book. Much like Fall and Rise (which I read and LOVED earlier this year; review here), Graff compiled tons of interviews, audio clips, and personal accounts. What’s slightly different about this book is that there was additions from more political people – specifically, Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, among others – which added a whole new perspective to that day. I highly encourage you to pick this one up and continue to honor the heroes of that day and #neverforget.

The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland by: Jim DeFede (William Morrow) – Pub Date: September 3, 2002

(I’m on a 9/11 kick, if you can’t tell.) I was so curious about this town in Newfoundland that found their town suddenly hosting passengers from America-bound flights that couldn’t land due to the flight restrictions placed shortly after the events of 9/11 started. They graciously hosted almost 7,000 people by opening up their homes, their stores, and their restaurants. They refused to accept any money from the stranded passengers – their only goal was to make them feel safe and as comfortable as they could. I was inspired by their hospitality and it gave me hope that this world isn’t as dark as it can sometimes seem.

How To Make Friends with the Dark by: Kathleen Glasgow (Delacorte Press) – Pub Date: April 9, 2019)

My hopes and expectations were especially high for this one because it deals with grief after losing a mother. Also for that reason, it took me awhile to pick this one up (I bought the book in April). Sadly, this one was a miss for me. I very much preferred Glasgow’s previous book, Girl in Pieces, and that may have interfered with my overall feelings of this one. It just never reached its stride for me. It was enjoyable enough, just not something that will stand out for me in the long run.

Currently Reading:

The Turn of the Key by: Ruth Ware (Simon & Schuster) – Pub Date: August 6, 2019

I started this one last night and have barely got thirty pages in, but so far, I’m definitely intrigued. I’ve read a few books by Ware (In a Dark, Dark Wood and The Woman in Cabin 10) and they very much fell in the meh category for me. However, so far, this one feels different and I’m excited to keep reading!

DNF (aka: Not For Me):

*** On Swift Horses by: Shannon Pufahl (Riverhead) – Pub Date: November 5, 2019

This book has hope and promise and I may revisit in hard copy someday. But as for now, I couldn’t get into it at all. Just because I love the cover and the premise so much, I forced myself to keep trying, but I’m finally throwing in the towel at 22%.

*** 🎧 Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee by: Casey Cep (Knopf) Pub Date: May 7, 2019

This is a case of me and NOT the book. I’m just having a hard time concentrating on audiobooks (even podcasts, for that matter) at this point in time. I got through Part One which was fascinating and addictive. I will more than likely revisit this one in the future when my attention span is a little bit better!

(#partner #freebooks: All books noted by asterisks (***) indicate I received the book for free from the publisher, the author, or another promotional company to review. All opinions are my own.)

I’m just sitting here wondering if fall is ever going to show up. Last week, we had 3″ of rain in four days and larger than golf ball-sized hail.

THIS IS FALL, COLORADO; NOT SPRING!

For now, I’ll just have to settle for warm fires and cozy blanket reading in my mind. (Also, I’m fully aware that I will be wishing for this exact kind of weather in January. Don’t @ me.)

Anyway, on to books! What have you been reading (and loving) this week?

Last Week’s Reads:

The Institute by: Stephen King (Scribner) – Pub Date: September 10, 2019

I’ve only read a few books by Stephen King, and each one has left me disappointed. I feel like SK spends a lot of time building up to a big reveal, but the climax always falls flat for me. The Institute was no exception. I was intrigued by the synopsis, but it never delivered for me. I personally think SK’s writing is better suited to movies and may need to keep that in mind the next time I think I want to read one of his novels.

Disappearing Earth by: Julia Phillips (Knopf) – Pub Date: May 14, 2019

This was my pick for my monthly read along (#HWRbooks), and if I’m being honest, I HATED it. It totally would have ended up in the DNF pile had I not been hosting the read along. I thought the chapters were boring and confusing; there was an assumption that it would all come together at the end, but for me, it really didn’t. I thought it was poorly executed and was really just a series of short stories that pretending like they were intertwined.

Currently Reading:

The Most Fun We Ever Had by: Claire Lombardo (Doubleday) – Pub Date: June 25, 2019

I picked this up a few weeks ago and then got sidetracked by other books…but I’m back. I like this one so far. There’s a whole lot of family drama and complicated relationships – all things I LOVE in a novel!

🎧 *** Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee by: Casey Cep (Knopf) – Pub Date: May 7, 2019

I’m just starting Part Two and it is incredibly fascinating! There’s a lot of factual information interspersed between the actual murder story. I really like the narrator as well, which makes it a whole lot easier to listen to!

DNF (aka: Not For Me):

If Beale Street Could Talk by: James Baldwin (The Dial Press) – Pub Date: 1974

I’m sure this book is great, but I just can’t get into it. I picked it up and read to about 10%, put it down for the night, and had to reread that 10% because I hadn’t remember what was going on at all. I finally decided to DNF at 12%.

(#partner #freebooks: All books noted by asterisks (***) indicate I received the book for free from the publisher, the author, or another promotional company to review. All opinions are my own.)

(#partner #freebooks: All books noted by asterisks (***) indicate I received the book for free from the publisher, the author, or another promotional company to review. All opinions are my own.)

Library books are taking precedence lately…and it’s killing my September TBR (aka: Hopefuls) and my buddy reads! I don’t really mind because it’s saving me money and I’m using my local library – both wins!

Only one more discussion of The Goldfinch is left! I can’t believe we’ve tackled this tome and lived to tell about it! 😉 The movie adaptation was just released last Friday and if you’ve seen it, I’d love to hear your thoughts (no spoilers, please!). (You can follow the hashtag here: #HWRgoldfinch and follow me on Instagram: @happiestwhenreading)!

Anyway, on to books! What have you been reading (and loving) this week?

Last Week’s Reads:*** The World That We Knew by: Alice Hoffman (Simon & Schuster) – Pub Date: September 24, 2019

To be honest, I’m not sure what I was expecting heading into this book. I’ve read Hoffman’s other books (Practical Magic and The Rules of Magic) and I really enjoyed them. I love how she incorporates a magical element into her stories. While Practical Magic and The Rules of Magic gave me more Holloween/witchy vibes, this book was completely different. Set in WWII, a mother creates a golem (in Jewish legend, it’s a clay figure brought to life through magic) to protect her daughter from the Nazis. I’m already a sucker for books based on the WWII time period, so this was the perfect blend of magical realism and historical fiction. I quickly grew attached to the characters, especially Lea and Ava. Along with other characters (main and secondary), I was even introduced to parts of history I’d never heard about. (Unfortunately, there were parts that felt forced on Hoffman’s part…almost like she digressed from fiction into nonfiction narration, and I didn’t love when this happened.) Overall, I felt like this was a wonderful addition to WWII historical fiction. I’m now adding Hoffman to my autobuy author list because I’ve really enjoyed every book I’ve read by her so far!

Lock Every Door by: Riley Sager (Dutton) – Pub Date: July 2, 2019

I read Final Girls and mostly felt meh about it – the plot and the writing. I dragged my feet picking this one up, but my library hold for it came in so I gave it a try. I’m glad I did…I really enjoyed this one! Ever since visiting New York earlier this year, I’ve really enjoyed books set in NYC. It makes the reading so much more enjoyable. This book was the perfect mini escape for a few days and if you’re looking for something light, try this one out!

*** The Goldfinch by: Donna Tartt (Little Brown) – Pub Date: October 22, 2013

Only one more week left of The Goldfinch for our buddy read (#HWRgoldfinch). I’m curious how this is all going to wrap up. And, if I’m being honest, I’m ready to put this book away. I have never taken so long to read a book! Having said that, the discussions have added so much to my reading and understanding of the book and I have loved every second of it! I can’t wait to see the movie that came out last week!

If you want to get in on the buddy read, find me on Instagram (@happiestwhenreading) You can also find the discussions we’ve had so far here:, Chapters 1-3, Chapters 4, Chapters 5-6, Chapters 7-9, and Chapter 10, and Chapter 11! Please jump into the conversation!

Consent: A Memoir of Unwanted Attention by: Donna Freitas (Little Brown) – Pub Date: August 13, 2019

The #metoo movement has brought toxic masculinity to the forefront and I suspect stories like this one will become more and more common. I have this conversation with my husband all the time – that life as a woman is very different than it is for a man. When I’m out in public (even with my husband, but especially when I’m not with him), I am constantly aware of my surroundings. Groups of men, men alone, body language, making sure I’m not in a parking lot alone at night, carrying my keys as a weapon as I walk to my car…all of these things I do subconsciously, ALL THE TIME. I have already started conversations with my daughter (11-years-old) about these things and how she HAS TO be aware of her surroundings and to trust her gut always. It’s just the reality of being a woman in a world where men are believed and protected over women.

While that was a little bit of a tangent, it’s relevant to Freitas story and it was what happened to be on my mind the whole time I was reading it. Freitas was stalked by a professor at her college – also a priest – and when she finally reported him to the Human Resources department at her college, she was not believed. Instead, the professor was promoted! Nothing about this is surprising to me – we see it over and over again in the media. That’s what makes stories like these so important – in hopes that they help change the narrative around harassment of any kind towards women.

Currently Reading:

The Most Fun We Ever Had by: Claire Lombardo (Doubleday) – Pub Date: June 25, 2019

Gosh, I put this one on the back burner to catch up on my read alongs. I remember liking the first 100 pages I read and am eager to jump back into this dysfunctional family!

Disappearing Earth by: Julia Phillips (Knopf) – Pub Date: May 14, 2019

This is my pick for my monthly read along (#HWRbooks), and the first section was a total slog. I’m trying to keep an open mind because it’s MY book pick and I don’t want to fail my readers, but this is definitely not a favorite so far.